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AUSTIN BOND PHOTOGRAPHY
This photo shows one of the many public accesses to the beach.

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Austin Bond Photography
Sunset at Pawleys Island can be breathtaking with vibrant colors and reflections off the water.

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Austin Bond Photography
Sea Oats add to the beauty of Pawleys Island.

Pawleys Island was named one of the Top 10 Beaches in the U.S. and Caribbean, according to a poll conducted by Susan Hall of Coastal Living Magazine.

The national magazine that celebrates life along the coast chose 20 beaches and asked the public to vote on their favorites.

Pawleys Island was named number eight.

“If you venture out early morning to one of our beaches, you stand a terrific chance of seeing dolphins swimming and pelicans gliding. Simply amazing!” said Joan Gillet, local Real Estate representative with Pawleys Seaside Realty.

“During the day there are locals and tourists spending the day at the beach enjoying the surf and the pristine sand. The beaches never feel crowded. Later in the afternoon it’s nice to grab a chair and your favorite book and relax oceanside. Once you experience Pawleys Island beaches, it’s easy to understand how Pawleys Island made the Top 10 list of favorite beaches by voters.”

Linwood Altman, broker in charge of Pawleys Island Realty — which has served the island for more than half a century — said he is not surprised that people chose Pawleys Island as one of the best beaches in the country.

He vacationed with his family on Pawleys Island from the time he was 4 years old and has lived on the island for the last 35 years.

“When I was a boy, I thought Pawleys Island was the only beach in the world,” Altman said.

“I agree with them. I think it is one of the best.”

He said since there is a variety of vacation homes to choose from, people don’t have to be wealthy to vacation on the island, but the wealthy can certainly be comfortable.

He added that it is a great family beach.

“Homes on Pawleys Island range from low rentals to high rentals,” Altman said.

“A lot of people can appreciate that, and a lot of families like to come here. My family still gathers here about once a month.”

He said that although the island is quiet and remote, and not commercial, visitors can still experience the action of the Grand Strand.

“If visitors want to access some of the finest restaurants in South Carolina, we’ve got them just a few miles away or less,” Altman said.

“If you want the jazz matazz of Myrtle Beach, that’s not too far down the road either.”

Other beaches on list

Carova Beach, Corolla, in North Carolina’s Outer Banks (1)

Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas (2)

Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island, Florida (3)

Coronado Beach, San Diego, California (4)

Captiva Beach, Captiva Island, Florida (5)

Smathers Beach, Key West, Florida (6)

Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii (7)

Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan (9)

Eagle Beach, Aruba (10)

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